Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 eBook

It is clear that the broad characteristics of the
composition can be symmetrically expressed, so that
a classification of the 70 S.C. altarpieces can be
made on a basis of these constant elements, in the
order of decreasing balance. Thus: Class
1, below, in which the C. is one side of the central
line, turned away from the center, the M. turned to
the other, balances in these broad lines, or I. + D.
= D.; while in (9), I. + D. + D. = (x), the constant
elements work all on one side.

Thus the constant elements, understanding always that
C. has more interest than M., are as follows:
For (1) I. + D. = D.; (2) I. = D. + D.; (3) I. = D.;
(4) I. = D.; (5) I. + D. = D.; etc. These
are in order of complete balance, but it will be seen
that from (7) on, while the factors are constant,
the framework is not balanced; e.g. in (9)
both I. and D. work on the same side. For these
groups, therefore, the variations, if there is balance,
will be more striking. Eliminating the balancing
elements in the framework, the tables for the ten groups
are: